The final chapter, of your novel is written and you believe it will be satisfying to your readers, with no loose ends and unanswered questions. But, are your readers hungry for your next novel? If there is any doubt in your mind, below are some useful suggestions before you begin the Final Chapter..

1.Leave room: for your readers’ imaginations and allow them to picture what happens next, without being told: “They lived happily ever after.”2.Foreshadow: Plant seeds in advance—small clues that will make the end seem natural.3.Build-up Mystery: A good mystery needs a build-up toward the climax with lots of twists and turns during the telling of the story.4.Pace: To create a mystery, write shorter scenes, sentences and chapters to increase the momentum. Save the largest scene for your last Chapter.5.Reveal: Show how your characters changed in the story.6.Romance: For romances, the above are still important. If a romantic mystery, use the same pace as #4.. All romances need a build-up- but without many complications, either between the lovers, or the events that get in the way of a happy union.7. Similar Book endings: Check other books similar to your story, and review how the author ended the final chapter. Try several options—put them aside—then read again, later, and see which one makes the most sense for your story.

In my opinion, one of the best storytellers of mystery and suspense was the late Alfred Hitchcock. His television series always had an unexpected ending—one I never anticipated, and although it was not always a happy ending; but always satisfying. Each of his stories is a lesson for mystery writers. His movies, too, are well worth seeing. ( Shocking, Frightening, and deliciously, wickedly Amazing.)

In preparing my new book for publication I ran into a dilemma when asked: What Genre is it?

I thought it could be a Young Adult contemporary romance, or maybe a paranormal romance. It has the content of a paranormal romance in that it is an unusual story. It is set in the modern world, with the protagonist a Twenty-Two year old female college student, with issues focusing on leaving home; developing as a woman; becoming independent; considering different career choices, and could be classified as “ New Adult” for aged 18-25.

I asked Google, and found that there is much on this subject.

In Molly Wetta’s Newsletter, she says New Adult was first marketed by St. Martin’s Press in 2009, after asking for submissions similar to young adult but focusing on the 18-25 or 30, group still discovering who they are and what they want. Some believe it is the step between young adult and adult books. Some like it. Others think it is a foolish and absurd category.

Blogspot.com also addressed this subject. They say the YA target audience is teenagers. The NA target is older and living in the present, trying to be independent after leaving home for the first time. They are juggling new adult experiences and attempting to handle life in the present, and at the same time deciding how they fit into the adult world.

Goodreads lists New Adult fiction as focusing on the period in life where you are becoming an adult. The contents are more mature in that they may face a serious relationship and heartbreak.

However, there is a need for books about characters aged 18-25 . Many of the new novels are fast-paced, focusing on experiences in life beyond the teenage years, and the publishing world reports that more and more titles are being marketed as New Adult. A reason could be because they found that NA fiction is reader-driven, and popular with readers who prefer e-books.

This is such an interesting topic— you may want to read more. As previously stated, there are many opinions on this subject and I could not cover all the information I found. Listed below are the internet addresses of those I referred to.

That many of my readers only know me by my blogs. So, in deference to my usual Blog, I am responding to requests of more information about myself, my goals, and family.

I am an avid reader of helpful articles on writing from many sources—some are bloggers happy to share their knowledge; magazine articles, the opinions of successful authors, and the internet. All have helped me and continue to educate and guide me to move forward as an author.

I can listen to most any kind of music, old and new and enjoy it all; love live theater, dining out, not much of a sports fan, except figure skating and college football. All in all, I love to be entertained.

I have three beautiful grown daughters, and three amazing grandchildren, two boys and one girl. My first name is Pauline and I used my mother’s maiden name as my pseudonym. Standing behind me, in the photo shown, is Dean and Max, and next to me is Kaelyn. My life is full and busy keeping up with the three of them, and I cherish every minute of it. Also, I can’t forget my dogs, both from shelters.

I have written four books to date with a fifth in its final editing stages. I began my first book as a teenager, writing about growing up in the Bronx, in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. I sent it to a well-known publisher in New York, and it was rejected because they did not believe I brought my characters to life. Years later, I re-wrote the book, having had a few more life experiences, and self-published it. “Jack of Hearts”, was published as an e-book and then printed. It did well and I was proud to have completed one of my goals.

The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Books are a fantasy series, based loosely on Irish mythology, titled Hidden Hills. This led to many believing I am committed to writing only fantasy. I do love magic, and the supernatural, but I also love a good romance, an exciting action novel, mysteries and definitely anything having to do with space, and science fiction.
My latest is a romantic novella with a paranormal touch. The first four can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other e-book sellers. My novella “Steered by Destiny” will be available very soon.
In the meantime, please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have. http://www.paulaperron@hotmail.com

”The course of true love never did runsmooth”—-SHAKESPEAR On Valentine’s day everyone thinks of Love and Romance. Whether young or old, the day invokes memories.
If you are a Romance Writer, you are always interested in learning more about how to move your readers from a first kiss, to a breakup and finding a new love. As an author, you try to find a new approach to an old story. Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy gets girl back and they live happily ever after—End of story. Or is it?

Most books, regardless of genre have an attraction somewhere on the pages, even if it is a sub-plot. As a writer, it is your job to make your readers care about your characters, their lives, and their relationships with others. Only in fairy tales do the characters live happily ever after.

Boy meets girl. She is beautiful, smart, and well endowed. He is handsome, brilliant, and successful. Perfect!—Right? NO! Everyone has faults, problems, and dreams. So must your main characters. Give her some quirky habits. Allow him to have secrets.

There are subtle techniques to keep your readers interested. Special words help your readers turn the page (She heard his footsteps advance toward her and her heart jumped with excitement) Or, whisper into your reader’s ears to trigger a memory.(He heard a familiar voice and a pit formed in his stomach).

But, let’s talk about writing an actual romance. We can convey love without saying a word. That is where the “show, don’t’ tell” comes in. A touch, a look, the memory of a shared experience, can say a lot. There is no need to say the magical three words. Writing about Love is difficult. You have to work harder to convey it without saying it.

Another question: How to create suspense through flirtations? To be a good writer, one must learn to be both a seducer and a lover. Begin with flirtations, luring the reader into your world. Is she a teaser, promising much but giving little? Is he not what he seems? Learn to master the art of dangling a carrot before your reader. Plant the idea and your reader will crave the answer. There should be tension, and anxiety between both characters. Without it, your reader will not experience any pleasure at the end of your story.

This is a condensed version of a wonderful issue of Writer’s Digest, for February, 2018. If you do not already have a subscription, you are missing a great magazine.

DEFINITION OF ALGORITHM: A logical step-by-step computer program —a flow chart— a system—a set of rules…

What if, in the near future, a computer program can predict your book’s success or failure?

An article written by Joel Shurkin awakened me to such a possibility. Scientists at Stony Brook University, in New York, think a computer program might predict successful books and recently, using the computer Algorithm, found that the program had about 84 per cent accuracy when applied to published books.

In a paper published by the Association of Computational Linguistics, “the writing style of books was correlated with the success of the book”. They used a process called statistical stylometry, a statistical analysis of the literary styles of several genres of books and identified characteristic stylistic elements common in successful books.

Some of the early finds by the scientists amaze me because they found journalists tend to use more nouns, pronouns and prepositions than other writers and in doing so, are more successful. ——– Both Hemingway and Charles Dickens began their careers as Journalists. To further excite me, a computer scientist at Israel’s University developed a program that tells whether the author is male or female 80 percent of the time.

Is it possible, Editors will now use an algorithm program to determine a books success or failure before they print? Wow!

There are more findings and observations in Mr. Shurkin’s article—too much to elaborate here, so give it a read. I think you will find it as interesting as I did.

A question asked often and answered just as many times…

Why do we face such a dilemma every time we sit down to write? Because, it all depends on whose point of view you want. Each will create a slightly different story, both good— but different. How do we decide whether to write in the First Person or the Third Person? They both work. Is it better for the author to look through the eyes of the character? Or should the author tell it through observers, narrators, or something else? Let’s start with the difference between the two.

With FIRST PERSON, you are looking through the eyes of your character, and have access to that character’s thoughts and feelings. Writing in the First Person is more intimate, and you can dig deeper into the character’s personality. Usually this is the main man or woman (the Protagonist). There are times when the person telling the story is an observer; as in the Sherlock Homes novels, that are narrated by Doctor Watson. Sometimes, the character whose eyes we are looking through is not human…like a Dog.

With THIRD PERSON, you, as author, are the viewpoint of the character, speaking through the eyes of the Protagonist. In Third person, you create the events your character must deal with, and how to solve the problems as they occur. You are the Supreme Being; the Creator, the Omniscient, and the one and only decision maker. If there are other characters in your story; once again, you, are speaking and creating the viewpoint, with your words, and actions. Some think it easier to always write in the Third Person.

My Fifth Novella is almost complete, and for the first time I am writing using the FIRST PERSON’s Point of View. I did that because I wanted to allow my readers the opportunity to know my Protagonist, her feelings, desires, goals, and most inner thoughts. When she thinks silently, I use ITALICS so the reader can listen to her private thoughts and reactions, as events unfold. This is done only when the Character is the viewpoint character.

Note: I have not mentioned Second Person writing which uses the Words YOU & YOUR. This is limited in its use. One way is by speaking directly to the audience (an Example, you will find in the FIRST PERSON and THIRD PERSON paragraphs). Other uses are: In Video Games, Self-Help Books and Magazines, Travel articles and Informational Guides.

It is said to write well, one must read a lot. Why? Because in reading, we learn. I definitely agree… but many times it is prudent to learn another way.

Just recently, I read an article by Glen C. Strathy advising what compiles a well-planned plot. I found it a valuable and beneficial guide in assuring future stories had all the elements for a compelling story. In a shortened version, I relay his advice on how we should apply the following “A through H” guide.

In what way does the author present the Protagonist (the main character involved in a conflict), and Antagonist (a character or group of characters who oppose the main character).

How should authors create and execute a compelling plot?

A…What is the Goal of the story?

B…What situations will occur resulting in the difficulty obtaining the Goal?

C… What is done in order to achieve the Goal?

D… What events occur during the story to show the main character is closer to the Goal?

E… What is the Protagonist forced to endure in order to achieve the Goal?

F… What reward will the main character receive or learn as the result of his/her situation?

G… What events must happen before the main character is in a position to receive the reward?

H… This is similar to “B” in that the main character has to face a precondition that can make it difficult to achieve the Goal.

The ending is most important. You have a progressive plot. You have written the events that must happen in order to create an emotional impact. There is a crisis, and now, the final resolution—the ending. It should be a satisfying ending, so the reader feels the main character resolves his/her inner conflict.